Review: Superman #27

Superman #27 came out this week and it felt a little bit like a whirlwind as a lot of plots and subplots were wrapped up in the span of this one issue's pages. Perhaps some upcoming mega-event required writer Josh Williamson to clear the decks. But consider them cleared. I will say up front I was happy to see some of these subplots wrapped up. Others? Not so much.

From the beginning of this title, Joshua Williamson has been firing on all cylinders. The whole book was built on the Lex/Superman relationship as we try to figure out if Lex is evil and doing a long con or actually turned a new leaf. He introduced Pharm and Graft as villains with a long history in Metropolis. He introduced Marilyn Moonlight, a hero that has always been in Metropolis (but somehow has never been seen before). Add in Perry being Mayor, Lois being editor/Superwoman, Jimmy dating Siobhan, Red K rage, and other stuff and these two years have really been fun and entertaining.

After this issue, it looks much of these are either wrapped up, put on ice, or entering a new phase. But this really felt like an ending of sorts. So much of an ending that I immediately went to see if Williamson is still on the book next month.

The art is by the trio of Eddy Barrows, Sean Izaaske, and Eber Ferreira. There is some decent action in the book and Barrows is always a treat. 

On to the book.

We start with Lois re-adjusting to just being Lois and not Superwoman as well. She is sitting at her desk trying to just edit.

Thankfully Jimmy, who had been injured in the Radiant attack is back and seems just fine despite being nearly crushed. He says Lois reminds him of Perry. 

So Jimmy being hurt ... not any more. Check.

One subplot that we never really saw bear fruit was Silver Banshee calling Superwoman out and threatening her should they meet. With Superwoman off the table, Siobhan can only say that should she see Superwoman, the hero would get an 'earful'. (Nice line.)

Silver Banshee upset at Superwoman but without a target. Check.

Superman was all crackling red with rage last issue when he confronts Lex in jail. 

Marilyn Moonlight shows up to 'protect' Metropolis but Superman seems to be more in control. 

In fact Superman wonders if Marilyn Moonlight isn't really some spectral phantom but might somehow be a scientific creation whose strings are being pulled by Lex. We did see her body experimented on way back in Superman #10. 

The origin of Marilyn Moonlight now (probably) solved. It was Lex. Check. 

Superman wants to search for Lex as he thinks everything that has happened - the prison break, Marilyn's arrival - is because of Luthor.

Cut to Supercorp where Lex gives Mercy an ultimatum. She can have Supercorp. Or she can leave and be with him. 

Remember, this is the 'not amnestic anymore' Lex who seems to be a better person but we keep waiting, as we have for 27 issues, for the other shoe to drop. But here he seems earnest in how much he cares for Mercy.

En route, Superman hears Lex talking.

Lex admits that he has been doing a bunch of things. He did incite Superman's rage to create the prison break. He did let Pharm and Graft free. And he did make Marilyn Moonlight show up.

We get a threat that delays Superman from finding Lex. Pharm and Graft are in a giant Superman mecha based on the nanotech that the S-shield on Supercorp is made of.

Pharm and Graft want to kill Lex. They have always had a vendetta. So they are tearing up Metropolis.

I don't know. Pharm and Graft have never really captured my imagination. 

Lex continues.

All these events he has incited are for one reason ... diversions so he can run away and not be stopped by Superman. Now that is interesting.

But most importantly, Lex says that while he initially was pretending to befriend Superman, it actually turned around and became genuine.

The reason why the second shoe never dropped? Because it wasn't a ploy.

Lex being a good guy? I know this will be temporary. But how wonderful to think that Superman could even inspire his arch-enemy.

Was Lex playing a long con. No. Check.

The only thing that could defeat the nanite robot is the nanite S-shield. So Superman takes the S-shield off the Supercorp building and takes out Pharm and Graft. 

Is there any more clear demonstration of the dissolution of the Lex/Superman partnership than the removal and destruction of the S-shield? Nice dual meaning. 

Pharm and Graft captured and thrown in jail again. Check.

I guess to make sure we know that Lex wasn't kidding, Superman figures out that Superman's Red K rage can be cured by Marilyn Moonlight's moon powers. Okay ..... hooray comic book science?

How could Lex know that Superman would get K-infused and need a cure? When did he add that? He only became good a little while ago? Has he been tweaking Marilyn Moonlight even now?

Anyways.

Red K rage cured? Check.

Marilyn Moonlight standing in the Metropolis sunrise and perhaps free to move away from the city? Check.

Will we see more or less of Marilyn Moonlight? Love the design.

Back at the renamed LexCorp, Superman asks Mercy if she knows where Lex went. She doesn't.

Interesting, she has always wanted to be with Lex but couldn't be with THIS Lex. She chose the company.

Even more interesting is her saying she will continue to help Superman. She just tried to kill him!

Anyways.

Mercy back to evil. Check.

LexCorp back, including the L-topped building? Check.

Meanwhile Lex is now living a life of silence because he knows Superman is listening for his voice. Somewhere icy, he enters a castle by giving the signal to open the door.

Hmmmm...

Given how big a part Lex has been in the title since the inception, I wonder if Williamson is going to let him cool off.

So look at all of those checks, showing all the subplots ended or buttoned up. New slate.

In an epilogue we see where things might be going.

The evil Legion tells the tortured Doomsday that Booster Gold is bristling with Darkseid's Omega energy and is the most crucial part of their plan, a plan to attack Superman!

You might remember when I asked why Doomsday could be tortured or imprisoned at all. He is a Doomsday Time Trapper.

Perhaps it was a bit of a ruse. As soon as he learns about Booster, he breaks the chains and takes off. (Nice splash by Izaaske.)  And he says he needs to find the World Forger, the Monitor's brother, perhaps hinting at an upcoming Crisis? An Absolute Crisis?

Whew.

That was a lot of stuff packed into the issue. But it sure did feel like the closing of a big chapter for Superman with a whole new plot coming around. While I think Pharm/Graft had run their course, some of the other plots - Lex, Siobhan, Marilyn Moonlight - I think I wish we had more of.

Overall grade: B-